Student Article
Identification, Habitat, and Diet of the Golden Eagle, UK’s Majestic Raptor
Formidable (adjective): Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large or powerful.
Refurbish (verb): Renovate or redecorate something, especially a building or structure.
Opportunistic (adjective): Taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Persecution (noun): Hostile and unfair treatment, often due to beliefs or characteristics.
Extirpation (noun): The complete removal or destruction of a species from a particular area.
The golden eagle: majesty of the skies.
What do golden eagles look like?
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) stands as one of the most formidable birds of prey across the northern hemisphere. In the UK, it ranks as the second-largest raptor, surpassed only by the white-tailed eagle. Adult golden eagles exhibit dark brown plumage with a distinctive golden sheen on the nape, while juveniles display prominent white patches on their wings and tail, which diminish as they mature.
Where do they live?
Primarily residing in the Scottish Highlands and certain Hebridean islands, golden eagles favor expansive, open terrains such as moorlands and mountainous regions. These habitats provide optimal conditions for soaring flight and hunting. Golden eagles construct substantial nests, known as eyries, on cliffs or in tall trees, often reusing and refurbishing them over successive years.
What do golden eagles eat?
Their diet predominantly includes small to medium-sized mammals like rabbits, mountain hares, and birds such as grouse and ptarmigans. Golden eagles employ various hunting techniques, including high soaring followed by swift dives to capture prey. They are also opportunistic feeders, scavenging carrion, especially during winter when live prey is less abundant.
How are people helping them?
Historically, golden eagles suffered extensive persecution in the UK, leading to their extirpation from England and Wales by the mid-19th Century and from Ireland by the early 20th Century. Factors such as habitat loss, poisoning, and illegal hunting contributed to their decline. In recent decades, concerted conservation efforts, including legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and reintroduction programs, have facilitated a gradual recovery of their populations in parts of their former range.
© Mike Unwin / Our Media
Formidable (adjective): Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large or powerful.
Refurbish (verb): Renovate or redecorate something, especially a building or structure.
Opportunistic (adjective): Taking advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Persecution (noun): Hostile and unfair treatment, often due to beliefs or characteristics.
Extirpation (noun): The complete removal or destruction of a species from a particular area.